Care, Support and Reduce Harm in Americas and the Caribbean

IPPF Americas & Caribbean (ACRO) is a locally rooted, globally connected network of civil society organizations in 30 countries. We defend sexual and reproductive health and rights through a feminist, inclusive, and evidence-based approach.

We act through:

• Services
• Political advocacy
• Strategic alliances

Access to Safe Abortion: Our Pillars

A safe abortion:

• Uses effective methods with professional or community support.
• Is based on clear information and international guidelines.
• Respects people and is free of stigma.
• Can take place inside or outside health facilities, even in restrictive settings.

Our pillars: Legality – Accessibility – Quality

We promote:

• Informed decision-making
• Autonomy
• Access to quality mifepristone and misoprostol

Safe abortion requires informed, stigma-free communities that support and respect people’s life decisions.

Our Strategic Approaches

Self-cared abortion: Safe, effective, empowering—returning control to people facing geographic, legal, or social barriers. Community activism and accompaniment networks are key.

Risk and harm reduction strategy:

• Provide safe information on medication in restrictive contexts.
• Refer to services that guarantee safety.
• Expand access routes: community networks, pharmacists, telemedicine, and remote care.

Abortion in Advanced Pregnancies

Abortions are needed at any stage of pregnancy. Our commitment is to make them safe.

IPPF ACRO promotes dignified, stigma-free access with trained staff, backed by WHO and IPPF’s IMAP.

• Gestational limits are stigma-based barriers.
• We rely on evidence about safety and viability.

Gestational limits are no excuse to deny the right to choose. Caring means supporting without judgment.

Institutional Commitments

We expand access through:

• Clinical Services  
• Telemedicine
• Surgical procedures
• Specialized procedures (including advanced abortions)
• Community and peer support
• Partnerships with pharmacists
• Alliances with local networks

We also:

• Promote registration of essential medications
• Push for regulatory flexibility so nurses and other providers can offer abortion care

Our principles: Dignity – Autonomy – Justice

Wherever there is need, there must be safe, dignified, and accompanied care.

Our Footprint in the Region

In the last 3 years, IPPF ACRO has:

• Provided around 180,000 safe abortion services
• Implemented community and risk-reduction strategies in 20+ organizations
• Expanded access to misoprostol and mifepristone in 10 countries
• Built a community of practice on medication abortion

Together we are stronger. We build networks across movements and sectors. We expand access to: essential medicines, legal protection, flexible funding, abortion as essential service, and ongoing rights-based training.

Our sensitive, informed communities are the heart of resistance.